The Ballard Bunch

1956

1964

1970

1976

1980

1984

1990

1996

1998

(oh, this is the one that makes me laugh the most)

1950

1964

1966

1976

1984

1990

1996

2000

Lessons learned: I should never be blonde and Beau can rock a mullet.

Reasons why this blog is being posted at 2:27 am Friday instead of Thursday, as per my month-long-blogging promise:

• I worked until 2am last night
• My 3-year-old "alarm clock" requests a drink at 7am and I didn't get to sleep again after
• Dance class for Tate @ 10am (and getting everyone ready - myself included - before leaving the house at 9:40am)
• Layne's appointment @ 11am - Primary Children's Pediatric Surgery office. Belly button surgery scheduled for next Friday (9/19) to hopefully fix this blasted issue once and for all
• A second appointment for Layne at Primary's…this time it's an ultrasound. All looks well
• Pick up Tatum at Shanna's (thanks again for picking her up and entertaining her all day for me!)
• Painted picture frame for Parker's wedding tomorrow
• Went to Karen's to laser engrave said picture frame. Tatum has started biting, too. Bit back
• Got home, made dinner, fed the baby, changed my shirt (barfed on again), kissed my husband, out the door to work

A promise kept within reason. Written on the 11th. Posted on the 12th. Sue me.

Finally a food the kid will eat from a spoon.



I'm a happy mamma.

With some really cute kiddies. (see below)

Yep - it's official - finally got a new camera.

I've been watching for the one I wanted to go on sale and I found it (with a little bargaining on my end) at a great rate. Now I just have to play with it a bit and have fun with all the new functions I didn't have on my old camera.

I really want to adjust the shutter speed - anyone know how to do that on a Canon?

Here's what I decided on offering:

Holiday Blocks (holiday crafts are always a hit) - People can do one holiday, two or all three - I'll just figure a price for each set. Obviously, these pics are lifted from another site - I'll be making my own version this week sometime (I have to gather some supplies).





Picture Blocks - I'll offer two or three sizes, people will just need to bring their own pictures (size depending on blocks they order) and we'll paint, stain and modge podge at the event. Here's the set I made w/ stuff I already had at home.



I know, I know - three kids, two of Hayden. I didn't have any good black & white prints of Tatum handy and like things in sets of three. I'll make one of her as soon as I order prints. As of right now, she thinks the screaming one is her anyways. :) Cute, though - huh?

Think these will be good?

p.s. I'll be teaching these at my old South Jordan ward at Super Saturday on October 11th. Kim, Shellie, Grandma, etc. - that's your ward! :)

p.p.s. I started making some felt foods (mostly breakfast) and they are SO cute and easy. I'll post everything when I'm done.

So I've been asked to organize a couple of projects for an old ward's Super Saturday and need ideas! Anyone seen anything cute lately that they'd like to learn how to make? Anything you're in need of but don't quite know where to start? I'm in need of suggestions to get the ball rolling.

HELP!

One of my goals this Christmas is to get rid of the icky plastic food my girls have for their play kitchen and upgrade it to felt foods made by moi.

I haven't made any yet, but this is what the goal is (a bit ambitious, but I had a hard time deciding on just a few!). And, packaged in this darling shopping bag! Cutest thing I've seen in a long time, honestly.

Anyone up for the challenge of making them with me?

Things I'm Not Too Fond of Today...

Bee Stings
A Certain Doctor at InstaCare on 9000 South
IV's
Sharpie Markers
Co-Pays (x2)
Belly Buttons
Zinc

More clarification, please? Here goes:

Bee Stings - for the obvious reason. I'm swollen. Elephantitus swollen. It's so uncomfortable.

A Certain Doctor at InstaCare on 9000 South - Let's just say that I'm not a fan of being talked down to, of being told I'm overreacting when it's obvious that I'm not, of being rushed and of being misdiagnosed. After him telling me last night that my arm was nothing more than an allergic reaction and a swift nudge to get to the emergency room fast from Layne's dermatologist upon seeing my arm today, I'm being pumped full of antibiotics via...

IV's - Just uncomfortable.

Sharpie Markers - The entire rash/swelling is currently traced on my arm by the nurse at said InstaCare. I know it's necessary, but I look like one of those idiotic Jr. High kids that thinks it's cool to self-decorate. Either that or a mom who fell asleep w/ a 2 year old in the house holding a sharpie.

Co-Pays (x2) - $75 a pop. $150 total just to be seen and given antibiotics. I'm sure more bills will follow. Health care bites in this country.

Belly Buttons - Layne's is still oozing and we'll most likely have to take him up for surgery in the coming weeks. Pre-op appointment next Thursday - more details then.

Zinc - All this Layne rash business for all of these months and the cause could be a zinc shortage in his system. Fingers crossed that the $45 bottle of zinc supplement does the trick.

And I'm missing Jocelyn's shower. I'm so bummed. Joce, cute blanket love coming your way ASAP - we just need to plan a time to get together. Wrapped and ready for ya.

xoxo,
Evonne

And by the looks of my ever-swelling arm, the sucker was this size.



A trip up to Midway to see a finished pool Beau's been working on included me getting stung and Hayden barfing in the car both up there and back home. The swelling continues, the barfing has ceased. At what point do I start getting worried?

Ouch.

When Tatum is really mad at me she calls me a “Crack”. And if I really push it, I’m a “Mean Crack”. It’s hilarious to see how committed she is to the words. Ridiculous to the receiver, very serious verbage from a 3 year old.

Hayden can sing, really sing, most of the lyrics to “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Jessie McCartney and some other chick. It’s on the “Ella Enchanted” movie soundtrack. I’ll have to get it on video and share soon if she’ll let me. It’s awesome.

This weekend Tatum was jumping from our coffee table to the couch (a firm no-no in our house, but I caught her nonetheless) and informed me that it’s okay because she was being a “Spaceshit”. “A spaceship?” I asked. “Yes mom, a Spaceshit.”

Hayden can jump with her legs straight out in front of her in perfect formation. And, if feeling really silly, will land on her bottom no matter how hard the floor, just to get a reaction. No pain, no laughs.

When Tatum grows up she wants to be a horse trainer (no idea where she came up with this one) and a rock star.

Leona Lewis has nothing on our Tate. “Bleeding” lyrics that should be “Keep bleeding Keep, keep bleeding love” are sung “Can’t bleed it, can’t, can’t bleed it lung.”

Hayden says "chicka-chicken" for "chicken". And the more we laugh, the more she'll say it.

Never fear, Layne will be included as he develops his humourous side. Right now he’s amazing at recovering from rashes (it’s looking soooooooo good right now), being brave at the prospect of surgery on his belly button (still oozing – finally being taken seriously by a doctor) and making us all smile daily with his amazing demeanor. He’s the best baby around. I’d swear on it.

This is another blog category that I need to regular-a-tize. My kids are constantly doing funny things and if I wait too long to share, I’ll forget.

So, look for future installments. Come on kids, get to being funny…

So, since I wrote it last night at work, this morning’s post counts as one for the 1st.

I’m going to post every day for the month. Here’s #2.

And, I’m going to start with some good ‘ole fashioned boyfriend appreciation. I love me some Beau, and here’s why:

He is loyal to the end. He’s a fantastic friend, neighbor, son and brother. And, even when it’s overlooked by others, he’s still there for anyone in an instant if needed – regardless of anything.

He loves me. Sounds trite and a little self-obsorbed, but there is nothing sexier than a guy who can love unconditionally. And my guy’s sexy to the core. If he loves you, he’ll love you forever. The loyalty (see above) knows no bounds.

He is hands-down, the most hard-working person I’ve ever met. Never a complaint, never a groan, just pride in his work and in his reputation as an employee.

He plays with his kids – every night. His time with them might be somewhat limited due to the comment above, but he makes the most of the time he has. I love to watch the kids get excited to see him in the evenings. I love it when they want to call daddy at work to give him the news of a small accomplishment in their day. And I love it when I come home to find him asleep with one of them in his arms.

On any me-centered holiday (birthday, Mother’s Day, etc.), he always scribes a sweet note in a thoughtful card. Never fail, it’s always done. And he puts thoughts into his gifts. He’ll remember a comment made months earlier; a simple wish for something I’ll inevitably forget about will be wrapped and ready for my enjoyment come gift time.

He is one of the most approachable and friendly people in this world. He greets everyone with a smile and a firm handshake, or (if you’re especially lucky) a Big Beau Ballard Hug. He remembers names easily and makes people feel important almost immediately. It’s a real gift.

He folds the laundry the way I like it. He might tease me about it, but he knows that - for whatever obsessive-compulsive reasoning - it’s important to me and he obliges. And the sick reality is that this comment is really blog-worthy. His doing that is that awesome to me. I have a problem.

He’s a guy’s guy, but he’ll watch a chick flick any time I want to. He even went to see “Juno” on a rare date night out – totally not his forte. Now that’s love.

He says “fustrated” for frustrated, “burger” for booger, and “booger” for burger and no mater how many times I tease him about it, he can’t hear that he’s doing it. It used to “frustrate” me, but now I love it.

He gets handsomer (word?) every day. And even though he’s extremely self-critical, I think he’s fantastic – both inside and out. As a mom, sometimes it’s easy to feel underappreciated or under recognized when comments continually flow in about how much your kids look just like your husband, I did – after all – do all the work. But having all three so closely resemble Beau is the best I could hope for. I just pray they leave our care with more than his handsomeness and charisma; I crave for them his strength of character, too.

And even when stuck in the unavoidable monotony of our lives, I know deep down that he longs for time together as much as I do. Time without kids (as much as we love them, a break would be nice), time without worry or stress (even if it’s still in play, time with out focus on such situations), time without time restraints. And somehow, just knowing he wants that time, too can be enough…sometimes.

At the end of this month is my sweet-husband’s 28th birthday. I intend on showing him how much I appreciate him every day starting now.

Too bad he doesn’t read my blog.

And so begins September.

I’m obsessed, but not with the usual. As do most of you, I “blog stalk” often – visiting friends of friends of friends on a regular basis as if I know them personally; celebrating their triumphs, laughing at their kid stories and feeling frustrated when updates are few and far between.

However obsessed I’ve become at being a stalker, one treasure I’ve stumbled upon and become particularly taken with following is especially unique. At first glance, the story is merely unthinkable and tragic, but the root of the lesson learned is pure. This family is (and again, I say that as if I know them personally – one can only assume from their writings) the very essence of “together”. In some strange way I gain strength of character living vicariously through their current and (after subsequent past post reading) past blog entries I can only hope to deal with life’s trials and celebrations with such grace. Please, if you have time, visit the following. And I dare you not to cry.

The Nie Nie Dialogues
C Jane Run

Pictures of Tatum and her hair.

She was a little jealous that Hayden was getting the attention, so she wanted some taken of her. She's turned into a KID overnight...no more baby girl. :( Oh, and the last one is her displaying her dance moves. She's got a mean plie going on.

So I bit the bullet and got Hayden's hair cut the way I've been wanting to for awhile now. Problem is, I paid to get it done and ended up doing most of the work myself.

I had heard great things so I took her to our local "Cookie Cutters" kiddie salon. I figure, for $13 I can't go too wrong. The girl was totally nice and their setup was fun (Hayden loved it), but the poor girl wasn't getting what I wanted at all. Twice after she had finished, I asked her to stack it more, even out the sides, etc. I hate to be "that mom", but it's got to look right, right?

Anyway, once I got home (we had to rush out to pick Tatum up from dance - the haircut took over a 1/2 hour as it was), I noticed that it was kind of stacked in the back, but it had a definite mullett-ness to it. So, I was brave and made it what I wanted. I'm actually pretty proud of how it turned out. There are, of course, a few spots that could use some refining, but that would also require a 2 year old that cooperates - something we lack in our house.

The cut totally suits her sweet little face and the bed-head is out of this world.

I just wish Beau liked it as much as I do. Oops.

The finds you find. I LOVE this little dress, don't you?



And, it's a giveaway! Go to this link to findout more: Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sorry this has taken me so long!

Here are pics from Hayden's birthday. We had the traditional present opening, cupcakes and singing at home on her actual birthday (Monday the 11th) with just our family. On Tuesday we had a party w/ extended family and friends at Glen & Tammy's (hot summer day + pull = way more fun than my back yard).

Enjoy!

1) No more studio pics. No more Kiddie Kandids, Target, Sears, JC Penneys, etc. I'm tired of not getting the pics I asked for, teenage girls acting annoyed with me (for asking for certain things) and with my kids (for being kids and not wanting to sit around for hours). No more overpriced packages that I really don't want. No more "enhancements" or color creativity. No more pressure. From now on I stick to what I know I love - the awesome talents of my photographer friends. I should know better by now.

2) No more pics without dad there to help. Honestly, how crazy is it with three kids? I thought I was going to lose my mind. That, combined with an experience exhibiting all of the "no's" above, I'm tired.

Here's what we got. They're cute, but mostly because my kids are. These were the best of the worst and not at all what I'd asked for. Also, please note that the intention was to get Hayden's 2 year pics and Layne in his blessing outfit (3 months later). Tatum insisted on getting in the pictures, and by the time Hayden had had it, it was the only way to coax her into a few more shots. Thus, Tatum in her swimsuit cover up. Still cute, but funny.

My babiest girl is two today. I can hardly believe how quickly it's gone by!

This pic isn't the best quality, but I just have to share. How cute is my little Layne in his new church outfit? Ugh. I love him.

I posted all the pictures below and forgot the most important on (at least in Tatum's opinion).

DANCE CLASS!

Tatum started dance last week and loves it! She's too cute for this mamma, I can hardly stand it. :)